Key West City Guide
Islamorada: Sportfishing Capital of the World
Islamorada—known officially as the 'Village of Islands'—encompasses six distinct islands spanning Mile Markers 77 to 90 on the Overseas Highway, roughly 80 miles northeast of Key West. Internationally celebrated as the 'Sportfishing Capital of the World', Islamorada is where backcountry shallow water flats meet the deep Gulf Stream. Key highlights include hand-feeding 100-pound silver tarpon directly from the docks at Robbie's Marina, exploring the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center, and dining with your toes in the sand at Morada Bay. The wider island directory and travel planner starts on the Key West City Guide homepage.
Quick answer Drive time from Key West, Robbie's tarpon feeding, and top sights
Read on 10 September 2026: Islamorada is an 80-mile (1 hour 45 minute) drive northeast of Key West along US-1. The signature activity is visiting Robbie's Marina (MM 77) to hand-feed massive wild Atlantic tarpon ($2.50 dock admission, $6.00 per bucket of baitfish). Pair this with craft beers at Florida Keys Brewing Company and historical exhibits at the History of Diving Museum.
Key takeaways
- Drive time: allow 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours each way from Key West; makes an ideal full-day road trip or stop on your way to/from Miami.
- Robbie's Marina: buy a bucket of baitfish, lie flat on the wooden dock, and hold a fish over the water as 100-pound tarpon leap out to grab it.
- Florida Keys Brewing Company: sample locally brewed hibiscus ales and IPAs in an artistic, colorful beer garden on Morada Way.
- History of Diving Museum (MM 83): world's largest collection of historic hard-hat diving helmets, armored atmospheric suits, and underwater tools.
Key facts
Opening hours
| Daily | Village open 24/7; Robbie's Marina open daily 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
|---|
Planning it
- Time needed
- Full day excursion (1.5 to 2 hours drive from Key West)
- Book ahead
- Recommended — a few days
- Address
- Mile Marker 77 to 90, Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036
Compare verified ticket rates and gate admission fees for top Islamorada attractions and marine activities:
Feed the tarpon at Robbie's for under $10, or tour the historic diving museum:
| Attraction | Type | Highlights | Best For | Rate | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robbie's Tarpon FeedingAll visitors wanting the quintessential Florida Keys wildlife encounter | Dockside activity | Hand-feed 100+ wild Atlantic tarpon, pelican viewing, open-air artisan market | Families & thrill seekers | $2.50 dock + $6.00 bait | Official site |
| History of Diving MuseumHistory and maritime enthusiasts exploring the evolution of deep-sea diving | Museum admission | Deep-sea hard-hat helmets from 30 nations, 20-minute films, treasure diving | Museum buffs | $17.00 adult / $9.00 child | Official site |
| Key West Dolphin Watch & SnorkelKey West travelers wanting boat wildlife excursions closer to their base | Eco-cruise | Departs Key West; searches for wild dolphin pods and snorkels shallow reefs | Key West tourists | $79.95 | Check Availability |
Discover dolphin eco-charters and barrier reef snorkeling trips across the archipelago.
from $55.00
Key West: Morning Reef Snorkel with Breakfast & Mimosas
The best value catamaran snorkel trip in Key West. Morning departures take advantage of calmer seas and superior water clarity before midday winds pick up.
Check Availability
from $73.00
Key West: Double Dip 2-Stop Coral Reef Snorkeling Trip
Two distinct reef locations in one 3-hour outing. Visits the outer Florida Keys barrier reef where underwater visibility and coral formations far surpass any near-shore beach snorkeling.
Check Availability
from $74.00
Key West: Parasailing Flight Over the Island & Waters
Fly 300 feet over the boundary where the Gulf meets the Atlantic. Look down on stingrays gliding over the flats and spot the distinctive tin roofs and lighthouse of Old Town from the sky.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own, checked in Q3 2026; dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
Hand-feeding wild tarpon at Robbie's Marina
Located on the bayside at Mile Marker 77.5, Robbie's Marina is a legendary Florida Keys institution that began in 1976 when founder Robbie Crosland rescued an injured 4-foot tarpon he nicknamed 'Scarface'. After nursing the fish back to health with hand-fed shrimp, Scarface returned with dozens of companions.
Today, over 100 wild Atlantic tarpon congregate permanently around Robbie's wooden pier. Visitors pay $2.50 for dock admission and $6.00 for a bucket of silver herring. The technique requires lying flat on your stomach along the dock edge, holding a fish dangling 6 inches above the water, and holding on tight as a four- to six-foot silver predator bursts from the water with flared gills to snap the bait from your fingers. Watch out for crafty brown pelicans that try to snatch fish from your bucket behind your back!
The Morada Way Arts & Cultural District
Centering on Mile Marker 81.5, the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District is the creative heart of the Upper Keys. Here you will find Florida Keys Brewing Company, the Keys' first microbrewery, featuring a quirky beer garden decorated with mosaic bottle-cap tables and serving tropical brews like 'Sun Chaser' and 'Spearfish POG'.
Directly across the street, Chef Michael's serves world-renowned local 'Peace, Love & Hogfish'—featuring fresh-caught hogfish prepared in your choice of five styles (Pan-Fried, Pontchartrain, Sauteed, Blackened, or Grilled).
Historical museums: diving and pioneer history
Islamorada hosts two exceptional accredited museums. The History of Diving Museum at Mile Marker 83 houses the world's most extensive private collection of vintage diving apparatus, tracing human underwater exploration over 4,000 years from Aristotle's diving bells to Siebe Gorman hard-hat helmets and commercial saturation diving rigs.
At Mile Marker 82, the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center sits on the oceanfront grounds of the Islander Resort, featuring two floors of state-of-the-art interactive exhibits documenting the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, indigenous Calusa settlements, and the legendary sportfishing legacy of Ernest Hemingway, Zane Grey, and Ted Williams.
Neighboring Upper Keys destinations
Connect Islamorada with neighboring islands along the Overseas Highway:
Key Largo
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the historic African Queen canal boat.
20 minutes drive north (MM 102)Marathon
Home of The Turtle Hospital, Sombrero Beach, and Seven Mile Bridge.
30 minutes drive south (MM 50)Bahia Honda State Park
Pristine sandy beaches and historic railway bridge ruins.
45 minutes drive south (MM 37)Frequently asked questions about Islamorada
How far is Islamorada from Key West?
Islamorada is located roughly 80 miles northeast of Key West. The drive along the Overseas Highway takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Is tarpon feeding at Robbie's safe?
Yes. Tarpon have tiny sandpaper-like dental pads rather than sharp teeth, so they do not bite flesh. However, their sandpaper jaws can leave small superficial scrapes on knuckles, so hold the baitfish firmly by the tail.
What is the best fish to eat in Islamorada?
Hogfish is the signature culinary delicacy of the Florida Keys. A mild, sweet, diver-speared wrasse, it is traditionally pan-fried with key lime butter at local institutions like Chef Michael's.
Can you take a day trip to Islamorada from Key West?
Yes, departing Key West at 8:30 AM allows you to feed tarpon at Robbie's, tour the diving museum, enjoy lunch on the beach, and return to Key West in time for the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration.
Is parking free at Robbie's Marina?
Yes, Robbie's Marina provides free gravel parking lots on site for marina visitors, diners at the Hungry Tarpon restaurant, and boat charter guests.
Key West on video: Islamorada
Verified video walkthroughs and footage of Islamorada, providing visual perspective before your visit.
Florida Keys Travel Guide | Key Largo - Islamorada - Marathon
Walkthrough of Islamorada by TampaAerialMedia.
Video: tampaaerialmediaBest Things to do in Islamorada (Florida) - Florida Keys Galore!
Walkthrough of Islamorada by Travelling Dany.
Video: travelling dany[Must-Do] Things To Do in Islamorada | Florida Keys [Florida Travel 2022]
Walkthrough of Islamorada by Freshly Squeezed Travels.
Video: freshly squeezed travelsReviewed Q3 2026 (July–September 2026); next review Q4 2026. Prices, hours and terms are set by the venue or operator and confirmed at checkout.
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